Last week was crazy! Social media has lit up with posts from people finding Sol de Janerio products on the website of Home Bargains. Then, there were reports of these products being found in store, which totally blew up the internet! So why have people been going nuts and for what?
Firstly, lets start with the brand Sol de Janerio
Sol de Janerio is beauty brand that makes and sells fragrances, body and hair care products. They caught customer’s attention a few years ago with their Bum Bum cream and the public’s obsession just intensified. Then it was their perfume mist’s that everyone was raving about. A variety of different fragrances available, nicely but simply packaged, drove people insane with people collecting them like it was a hobby.
What happened next?
Dupes. Dupes happened. From packaging, fragrances, names…brands and stores duped Sol de Janerio products as if it was the only brand in the world. Why? Because Sol’s products were popular and people loved them. So why not produce similar products based on a well known brand and sell it cheaper? And that’s what they did! Supermarket’s, discount stores, high street retailers all have had ‘similar’ fragrance, body and hair care products sat on their shelves.
Home Bargains stocked what?
Mostly mini versions of genuine Sol de Janerio products. Not the whole range but some, including perfume mists in 59, 62, 68 and 87 (30ml in size). Body creams and scrubs in various fragrances and formulations (25ml). Also, one larger size of 90ml perfume mist in 76.
What was special about these products?
The price. Sol de Janerio isn’t a cheap brand. Are they the most expensive? No. But not a brand everyday people can purchase on repeat without wincing. 90ml perfume mists retail for around £25.00. 240ml for £39.00. Mini’s/travel sizes aren’t normally retailed singularly but in sets and you could be paying up to £35.00 for a set of 4 30ml perfume mists. Body creams/butters start at £21.00 for 75ml. £36.00 for 150ml and £48.00 for 240ml. And how much were Home Bargains selling their Sol stock? £1.99 for the mini perfume mists, creams and scrubs and £3.99 for the 90ml perfume mist.
Has the madness died down yet?
In stores customers have been buying these products by the basket full, and that isn’t an exaggeration. Some people have called out greedy customers for buying so many whereas some haven’t had a chance to get even 1 product. The actual amount of Sol products in Home Bargain’s stores, dependant on the store, has been very healthy. Some have had shelves full on their Starbuy area, till points and even on end bays consisting of multiple shelves. So what’s been available in store hasn’t been the issue, it’s been the popularity. As soon as there’s been a whiff of stock in store, it’s sold out by morning or early afternoon.
Since stock seems to be sold out in all stores that have received these products, the only signs of craziness is from people who have bought and placed these on selling platforms such as Ebay and Vinted. And then there’s the posts floating around about these products being expired and old stock…but THAT’S another story…..
Did I buy any?
Yes I did! Just the perfume mists in 59 and 68. These will be stashed in my gift box for gifting and used on future holidays, as the size of these are perfect for travel.
But the question is, did YOU buy any?